We are in a severe recession…………..Revenues are down and property values are lower than the tax digest reflects. …… County revenues will be deflated for the foreseeable future………………..

AVOC

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October 25, 2010

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Oconee County New $ 22 Million Courthouse moving under the radar – Part 2

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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The pressure on the courthouse over the last 10 years is a direct result of a rapidly expanded bureaucracy under the leadership of the incumbent commission chairman. A courtroom built and used for two years at the Annex could have accommodated traffic court, magistrate court and hearings. However, that space was chopped up and used for other functions.

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Longtime officials posed for this picture when the renovated courthouse was reopened and dedicated in November 1998 - just 12 years ago!

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We are in a severe recession that many observers think is not going to end for a while. Revenues are down and property values are lower than the tax digest reflects. We have an excess of building lots. The big building and growth boom of 3-5 years ago is over and probably indefinitely. County revenues will be deflated for the foreseeable future.

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We need to monitor our County Officials and work to rein in their propensity for big spending.. In recent years, some of our officials were involved in decisions and policies that have had a harmful impact on the county. We need to remember these decisions:

4. The ill-advised $ 350 Million Hard Labor Creek Reservoir project in Walton County committed the county to much debt but is now in a “stalled mode” although the obligations of the county still exist. The Bear Creek Reservoir project needs some upgrading but Oconee is now committed on two fronts. Oconee is struggling to pay for its utility debt service and is challenged to get increased capacity.7-29-10 Important Water Issues for area - Jackson County wins appeal in Reservoir Lawsuit

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5. The County Tax Digest is still artificially inflated. Most persons with experience in real estate matters see the gap between the Tax Digest and real market conditions. This fact is going to mean less and not more revenue in the future- “The BOOM years are over indefinitely”! Our officials need to attend some real estate seminars to learn more about the real market and prospects; 5-25-10 Economy, Taxes, Budgets, National, State, Regional and Oconee

7. There are many options for addressing court space needs but there needs to be real public inclusion and discussion. So far we have not had that. A few years ago, Jackson County Commissioners rammed a $ 30 Million Taj Mahal Courthouse through utilizing an ACCG Lease-Purchase plan without a referendum. Those commissioners were defeated handily in the next election.

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We need to return to conservative government and use of resources and deal with infrastructure needs before we try to “keep up with the Jones’ in Courthouse Building. We need officials who really understand where tax money comes from and how to set priorities. The County, like taxpayers, must start living within its means. We do not need to take on a huge, expensive courthouse project for the foreseeable future.

……"I really don't think this board has done its due diligence," said Commissioner Jim Luke.

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He'd like to see a cost comparison of what annex renovations would cost compared to constructing a new building, Luke said.

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"That's accepting that that's the right four walls," he said. "I just don't know it is."…………..

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AVOC NOTE:Jim Luke is talking about building a new County Administration Building – What is so wrong with the Annex on Hwy 15? We updated and remodeled the building in 1996 and located the courthouse there. Maybe we are trying to live “too high on the hog”. WATCH THE BUDGET FOR ADMINISTRATION FACILITIES AND UTILITIES!!